Daring Bakers' Challenge

 I have joined the Daring Bakers to try new and exciting recipes that I would otherwise never try. 

The August 2011 Daring Bakers’ Challenge was hosted by Lisa of Parsley, Sage, Desserts and Line Drive and Mandy of What the Fruitcake?!. These two sugar mavens challenged us to make sinfully delicious candies! This was a special challenge for the Daring Bakers because the good folks at http://www.chocoley.com offered an amazing prize for the winner of the most creative and delicious candy!

Yes, I know candy!  I am so used to making truffles every Christmas, so I knew I wanted to try something different this time.  I tried my hand at filled candies instead.  The picture above is my version of a peanut butter cup.  Here is the very simple recipe:

1/2 bag of chocolate chips (I used milk chocolate)
1/2 cup smooth peanut butter (Skippy is the only way to go in my opinion)
1/2 cup powdered sugar

I melted the chocolate chips over a double boiler.  I then filled a candy form with the chocolate and let the excess drip back into the bowl.  (This can be a very messy process so do not worry if your first time does not work the best.)  I put the form into the fridge to harden.

Then I mixed the sugar and peanut butter until combined.  I then heated it up in the microwave for a little bit to make it easier to work with.  I put the peanut mixture into a pipping bag, and cut the tip off.  I then was able to pipe the peanut butter into the chocolate forms.  Once filled, I added more chocolate to serve as the bottom layer.  Placed it back the the fridge to harden and that's it!  They are very delicious.

We were also tasked to make a second candy.  I chose to make my Cocoa Candy Dandies.  Unfortunately, my husband ate them all before I was able to take a picture.  But here is the recipe:

Cocoa Candy Dandies

3 TB butter
2 cups quick oats (uncooked)
1 cup brown sugar
3 TB cocoa
1/4 cup light corn syrup
1 TB vanilla
Powdered Sugar

Stir butter until soft.  Combine with oats, brown sugar and cocoa.  Blend well.  Add syrup and vanilla.  With wet hands, shape into small balls 1 inch in diameter.  Roll in powdered sugar.  Led stand for a few hours for flavors to blend. 

These candies are very simple and I think anyone can make them.  Look for more candies come Christmas time when I make my traditional truffles of every flavor...mmmm!